Just like most countries which recognize African Liberation Day and the Pan-African movement, which reflect the growth and development of Pan-Africanism. Dominica celebrated African Liberation Day with a street parade through the street of Roseau, an exhibition which showcased African cooking, books, and clothing. There were also open-mic speeches and discussions by the attendees, but merely from the Rastafarian movement. Here are some Photos from the celebration.

Open Thread

I must say that the level of ignorance in Dominican society and the Caribbean as a region in very high. African Liberation Day is not a â€œRastaâ€ thing. African Liberation pertains to every African descendant. Some people might say â€œIâ€™m not from African or I was not born in Africanâ€ While that might be true, but as a black person you must be aware and uphold your history. Itâ€™s because of this history youâ€™re standing here today. There is this saying â€œout off darkness cameth lightâ€.

Did you know that there are still Newspapers published in Ethiopia about Rastafarism. Below is an example.

The History of African Liberation Day

On April 15, 1958, in the city of Accra Ghana, African leaders and political activists gathered at the first Conference of Independent African States. It was attended by representatives of the governments of Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, The United Arab Republic (which was the federation of Egypt and Syria) and representatives of the National Liberation Front of Algeria and the Union of Cameroonian Peoples. This conference was significant in that it represented the first Pan-African Conference held on African soil. It was also significant in that it represented the collective expression of African Peopleâ€™s disgust with the system of colonialism and imperialism, which brought so much suffering to African People. Further, it represented the collective will to see the system of colonialism permanently done away with.

After 500 years of the most brutal suffering known to humanity, the rape of Africa and the subsequent slave trade, which cost Africa in excess of 100,000,000 of her children, the masses of African People singularly, separately, individually, in small disconnected groupings for centuries had said, â€œenoughâ€! But in 1958, at the Accra Conference, it was being said in ways that emphasized joint, coordinated and unified action.

This conference gave sharp clarity and definition to Pan-Africanism, the total liberation and unification of Africa under scientific socialism. The conference as well laid the foundation and the strategy for the further intensification and coordination of the next stage of the African Revolution, for the liberation of the rest of Africa, and eventual and complete unification.

The Conference called for the founding of African Freedom Day, a day to, â€œmark each year the onward progress of the liberation movement, and to symbolize the determination of the People of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation.â€

Five years later after the First Conference of Independent African States in the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia another historical meeting occurred. On May 25, 1963, leaders of thirty-two independent African States met to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU). By then more than two thirds of the continent had achieved independence from colonial rule. At this historic meeting the date of Africa Freedom Day was changed from April 15th to May 25th and Africa Freedom Day was declared African Liberation Day (ALD). African Liberation Day has been held on May 25th in every corner of the world since.

Visited thetalkingdrum.com for more information about African Liberation Day, African teachings and life. Educated yourself!

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